Matthias hoiiner



(No Mode1 I HOHNER. HARMONICA CASE,

No. 499,831. Patented June 20, 1893.

(NIH AS WN m NX Q w m a I It 2* v I ll. 0Q ll J1 flaw 3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MATTHIAS IIOHNER, OF TROSSINGEN, GERMANY.

HARMONICA-CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 499,831, dated June 20, 1893.

" Application filed February 20, 1893. fierial No, 463,098. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MATTHIAs IIOHNER, a subject of the King of IViirtemberg, residing at Trossingen, Wiirtemberg, Empire of Ger: many, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Harmonica-Cases, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to mouth harmonica cases.

- The object of the present invention is to inclose the mouth harmonica in a closed case or receptacle when not in use and to thus protect the same from dust, dirt and the like and also to facilitate the use of the instrument by arranging the case or receptacle in such a manner that, when the lid of the case is removed or swung open, the harmonica is automatically thrust out of the case to such an extent that it may be conveniently played upon without removing the case.

For this purpose my invention consists in the means, features and combination of parts hereinafter set forth and covered by the claims.

In the drawings accompanying this description-Figure 1 represents atransverse section of a harmonica case, embodying my invention, the harmonica being represented as projecting out of the case in a convenient position for the performer; Fig. 2, a horizontal section of the ease, the parts being in the same relative position as in Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a longitudinal vertical section, and Fig. at an end elevation of the case in a closed condition.

The harmonica, A, is secured to the case, B, by means of studs, a, a, secured to the body or other suitable part of the harmonica and passing through slots, l), b, in the end walls of the case, B. A spring of any description, preferably a flat bent spring, 0, is secured to the bottom of the case as shown, and bears against the bottom of the harmonica thereby tending to force the same forward out of the case,B. WVhen the case is opened this pressure of the spring tends to automatically thrust the instrument forward out of the case, to the extent permitted by the studs, a, in the slots, 1), that is, s-ufiiciently far to enable the performer to use the same. The bottom of the case, B,is provided with vents or sound openings, cl, which, when the case 15 closed, are

completely covered by the Hat spring, 0, so that neither dirt nor dust can penetrate into the interior from this side. \Vhen, however, the case is opened the spring is released and the vents, (Z, are opened so that the sound waves may readily pass out of the case. For this latter purpose the fiat spring, 0, is made narrower than the width in the clear of the case.

When the instrument is not in use it is pushed back into the case and the lid, 13, is closed, as indicated in Fig. 4. This lid may be in any form, but preferably in the form of a swinging lid hinged at b, and provided at its'front edge with any suitable locking device, for example, a depending ear b adapted to spring over and engage a pin, 12 on the case, (see Figs. 1 and 4.) Then the lid is closed the spring lies flat upon the rear wall of the case and completely closes the vents or sound openings, d.

Instead of a single fiat spring, two or more fiat springs or other suitable forms of springs may be employed.

Instead of arranging the case so that the harmonica is projected from the same in the direction of its blow-holes, as described, the case may also be arranged so that the harmonica is projected from the case in a longitudinal direction, by arranging the spring, 0, between one of the end walls of the case and the harmonica and providing the other end of the case with a lid. Under this construction it is not necessary to provide the case with vents, as d.

The case may be made of any suitable or desired material, 6. g., sheetmetal, pasteboard, celluloid, compressed leather, 850., according to the degree of solidity desired.

As already stated, the lid may be locked in any suitable and convenient manner.

hat I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A case for harmonicas in combination with a harmonica arrangedand adapted to slide within the same, and a spring arranged between the bottom of the case and the harmonica, substantially as set forth.

2. A case for harmonicas provided with slots in its end walls in combination with a harmonica having studs projecting into the said slots and a spring arranged between one wall of the case and the harmonica, substantially as set forth.

3. A case for harmonicas provided with a hinged lid and means for locking the lid in its closed position in combination with a harmonica arranged and adapted to slide within the case and a spring arranged between the bottom of the case and the harmonica, substantially as set forth.

4. A case for harmonicas having a flat bent spring and provided with perforations in its bottom in combination with a harmonica ar- 

